The TDI badge stands for Turbocharged Direct Injection, and is the badge fitted to turbodiesel versions of the golf. These engines are well known for their dependability as well as producing a great balance between performance and fuel efficiency.

What is the most popular Golf?

The Golf Match is the most popular version of the Golf. It's a mid-to-high specification version of the Mk7 golf and came equipped with adaptive cruise control, touchscreen sat nav and air con as standard. Of the Mk8, the Life is the most readily available on the used market. Though it's the entry-level model, it still comes with alloy wheels, front/rear parking sensors, sat nav and climate control.

Is the Volkswagen Golf good for long-distance driving?

Yes, the Golf is a very comfortable motorway cruiser. The interior is also spacious enough to accommodate passengers on a longer trip.

Is the Golf a good family car?

Yes. Volkswagen has always designed the Golf to be a family car. For a long time now, the Golf has only been available in a five-door layout, and it's very straightforward to fit an ISOFIX child seat in the back. Even performance versions such as the GTI and R retain excellent practicality but add a serious dose of performance.

Does the Volkswagen Golf come as a hybrid or electric version?

Yes, you can buy the Golf as an e-Golf, which is a fully electric car. This has lots of advantages, such as much lower running costs. There is also a plug-in hybrid version that allows for up to 42 miles of electric driving before switching to petrol/electric hybrid power to allow you to continue your journey.

Is there a four-wheel drive version of the Golf?

Yes, the very popular Golf R hot hatchback (and estate) comes with four-wheel drive as standard. The other option is the relatively rare Alltrack, which is an estate model.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - GTE 1.4 TSI 245PS 6-speed DSG 5 Door + LEATHER

Low Mileage

£22,692

1.4L
24.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,289

Finance available £417 pm

2L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI 110 SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,998

1L
20.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat (Paisley)

01414040020 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Active DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,600

Finance available £415 pm

1L
11.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,595

Finance available £147 pm

1.4L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Eastside Motors

01217288688 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

Low Mileage

£27,390

Finance available £602 pm

2L
13.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,045

1.5L
25.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,250

Finance available £296 pm

1.6L
30.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr MANUAL

Low Mileage

£21,790

1.5L
12.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) Touchscreen

£11,555

Finance available £217 pm

1L
56.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s)

£9,645

Finance available £193 pm

2L
80.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bhakar Watts Cars

02921675239 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£18,779

1.5L
10.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Peugeot Launceston

01566701767 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 1.2 TSI S 5dr

£4,000

Finance available £67 pm

1.2L
110.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CARMAN RECOVERY AND TRANSPORT LTD

01332318226 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr DSG [Nav]

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.6L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Diesels Direct

01502441258 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr

£11,459

Finance available £227 pm

1.4L
56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

01224453394 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.0 TSI SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Reduced

£13,295

1.6L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,850

Finance available £305 pm

1L
20.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,500

Finance available £401 pm

2L
38.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Lismenary Motors

02893448902 *

Volkswagen Golf1.8 GTi 3dr

Reduced

£4,595

Finance available £80 pm

1.8L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Atlan Motors (London) Ltd

02038895374 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (265 ps)

£35,000

Finance available £698 pm

2L
517.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Saxton 4x4

01245202306 *

4.4/5 Stars

Why buy a used Volkswagen Golf?

If you're in the market for a practical, comfortable and dependable car with the added benefit of timeless style and design, then a used Volkswagen Golf is a great choice. The Golf is also available with petrol, diesel, hybrid and even full electric engines.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

Author: Jack Evans

View profile

Pros

Efficient engines
Impressively refined
High-quality interior

Cons

Rivals are more involving to drive
Digitalised interior is a bit fiddly
Plain styling

Read our Volkswagen Golf review

Volkswagen Golf video review

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Different generations of used Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf has been on the roads since 1974, with the UK being one of its best markets. Over the course of eight generations, Volkswagen has kept the Golf stylish and relevant. The newest models remain highly efficient and thoroughly enjoyable to drive.

Eighth Generation (2020 to 2020)

The most recent generation has been completely redesigned inside and out. The style is more striking, with interior features similar to those of the all-electric ID.4. Enhanced safety systems have also been added for a more protected drive.

VW released all-electric models and a plug-in hybrid for increased efficiency, further adding to the overall appeal of the latest generation Golf.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 34 - 941
Acceleration:: 4.6 - 10.7 seconds
Boot space:: 273 - 611 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.5 TSI 204 Style eHybrid 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.0 TSI Life 5dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Seventh Generation (2016 to 2020)

The MQB platform created a Golf that was 100 kg lighter than earlier models, meaning better performance, handling and fuel efficiency. Safety features such as Automatic Emergency Braking was added. As with previous generations, VW continued working on ways to make the Golf more efficient, with improvements year over year.

In 2013, the Golf R hit the scene and brought class-leading hot hatch performance. Such was the popularity of the Mk7 Golf, over six million were built and sold worldwide.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 5dr DSG

Sixth Generation (2009 to 2016)

It didn't take long before drivers realised how amazing this generation was, with the 2009 model winning the World Car of the Year award. Despite its sharp style, this generation didn't go on many years before another design took over, making them even more desirable on the used market.

Most notably, this generation receives a lot of praise for its safety and the high-tech features included.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1.2 - 2
MPG:: 33 - 74
Acceleration:: 5.5 - 13.9 seconds
Boot space:: 250 - 505 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.2 TSI S 2dr
Cheapest
1.4 S 3dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI R 4MOTION 5dr DSG

Buying a used car checklist: what to look for

Buying a used car can be a daunting task, but with our checklist, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

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